Hezly Rivera, a 16-year-old from New Jersey, is ready to make her Olympic debut in Paris as a member of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Women’s Gymnastics Team. Her journey to the senior team at such a young age is remarkable and showcases her dedication and talent.
Much of Hezly’s success can be attributed to the unwavering support of her parents, Henry Rivera and Hiedy Ruiz. They made numerous sacrifices, including relocating to Texas, to help her achieve her dreams.
Hezly expressed her gratitude, calling her parents her “number one support system” and acknowledging their constant presence in her life.
Is Hezly Rivera Hispanic? What’s the Story Behind Her Proud Heritage?
Yes, Hezly Rivera Is Hispanic. she is of Dominican ethnicity, as her father, Henry, is originally from Santo Domingo. She is the first Dominican gymnast to be named to the United States national gymnastics team.
Although Hezly was born and raised in the United States, her family’s roots are in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
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Her father, Henry, moved to the U.S. for his education, graduating from Union Hill High School in New Jersey and earning a degree in Computer Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology in 2002.
After graduating, Henry started his career in New Jersey, where he settled with his wife, Heidy, and their two children. Despite living in the U.S., Henry is very proud of his Latino heritage. He once commented on a USA Gymnastics Facebook post during Hispanic Heritage Month, saying, “I am proud to be Hispanic/Latino.”
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Hezly Rivera’s Proud Parents Share Her Success
In just two years since starting her career as a professional athlete, Hezly has made significant progress. Her parents, Henry Rivera and Heidy Ruiz, often share her gymnastic photos on social media, showing their pride.
Two years ago, when Hezly competed in her first Jr. Elite USA Gymnastics event and made the USA Jr. Women’s National team, her dad, Henry, expressed his joy in a long LinkedIn post.
He began with, “Today has been a special day for my family,” and went on to describe Hezly’s hard work and the injuries she overcame to become a successful gymnast. He also thanked her coaches and teachers and proudly called himself a “proud dad” in the post.
